Hailey Smalley

For many children, back-to-school also means back to the doctor for mandatory vaccines. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported earlier this year that the use of non-medical vaccine exemptions is on the rise.

The U.S. Forest Service approved a project to harvest timber from an area west of West Yellowstone last week. The plan includes the logging of over 12,000 acres as well as nearly 60 miles of temporary roads.

A Missoula County District judge ordered the closure of the Elbow Lake gravel pit mine while a lawsuit plays out.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park officials killed a food-conditioned grizzly bear in Big Sky.

Residents south of Highway 93 near Elmo are being told to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire. Several areas in Northwest Montana will move to Stage Two fire restrictions Saturday.

Officials have issued an evacuation order for the community of Heinrude near Hungry Horse Reservoir due to wildfires burning in the area. Fire officials say that the Tub Gulch Fire burning in Libby’s “asbestos forest” is contained. Firefighters reached 19% containment on the Colt Fire northwest of Seeley Lake Wednesday morning.

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect due to the Colt Fire, burning northwest of Seeley Lake. Residents near the intersection of Beaver Creek Road and Highway 83 have been ordered to evacuate. A lightning-caused fire is burning roughly 120 acres five miles east of Arlee.

Bitterroot National Forest raised its fire danger to high this week. Montana wildlife officials restrict afternoon fishing on three rivers in southwest Montana.